Egypt: Tahrir-ICN statement on the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization

Comdemnation of the recent declaration of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as a terrorist organization.

Tahrir-ICN statement on the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization

On 25 December the military regime declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization in the latest of a range of repressive measures used to crack down on political opponents. Punishments for those associated with the group include a five year prison sentence for anyone who participates in Muslim Brotherhood protests, is proved to be a member of the group, promotes them either in writing or speech or is caught with materials from the Muslim Brotherhood. Those in a leadership position could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Part of the justification for this designation was the recent bombing in the city of Mansoura which the regime has attributed to the Brotherhood, even though another group, Ansar Beit Al Maqdis has claimed responsibility.

We have consistently opposed the Muslim Brotherhood, as a counter-revolutionary, conservative and reactionary group that coupled with its neoliberal zeal, committed numerous abuses during the time it was in power. We consistently called for the downfall of the Muslim Brotherhood from power. But regardless of our political opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood we oppose the attempts by the State to annihilate a political faction and use the full power of the repressive apparatus of the State in pursuit of these goals.

For these reasons, we condemned the 30 June coup as the highest manifestation of authoritarianism by placing the military establishment at the head of the bourgeois state. We condemned the massacres at Raba’a and the state violence unleashed by the fascist military regime.[1] Likewise today we oppose this designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization which effectively criminalizes a large section of the Egyptian population, prevents a group from participating in the political life of the community and will push the group underground leading to its increasing radicalization and winning the sympathy of increased sections of the population.

The military regime is using all tactics to crush any opposition to its rule. Muslim Brotherhood supporters have been at the front line of this attack by the State but also affected have been anarchists, leftist activists, workers, journalists and civil organizations. We oppose all such attacks by the State against the people regardless of their political views. Such a policy can only lead to increased violence and civil strife. We refuse to be a pawn in the power struggles taking place between the Muslim Brotherhood, military and institutional opposition. Liberation can only come about through the revolutionary self-organization of the Egyptian masses and unified opposition to those who would seek to oppress the people to maintain their hold on power.

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